Andreas Derlrth, 32, of New Zealand was crowned Mr Gay World 2012 at the Grand Finale in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Organisers of the competition, say it is aimed at identifying a spokesman and role model for gays, particularly in Africa.
After Mr Ethiopia entered the contest, his father cut off all communications. Mr Zimbabwe withdrew from the contest fearing the publicity was making life difficult for his mother.
But Mr Namibia's family accompanied him to the airport for a warm send-off when he left for the competition in Johannesburg.
Namibia's Wendelinus Hamutenya says his experience shows that Africans and Africa can change.
